Cotton Farming

Having trouble deciding which cottonseed variety to plant in 2008? Have no fear. You are not alone. In fact, it would be completely understandable if today’s cotton producer was a bit overwhelmed – not only by the number of choices but by how far cotton varieties have come in the last few decades.

When Bt cotton hit the market in 1996, who could’ve known how rapidly the technology train would travel over the next 10 years?

As if it weren’t difficult enough to keep up with this year’s various seed company consolidations and acquisitions, it is probably even more noteworthy how powerful that small planting seed has become.

As decisions are about to be made on what varieties to plant next year, maybe it’s wise to review how far seed technology has come in the last few decades – especially the last 10 years.

Long-time USDA-ARS cotton geneticist Bill Meredith of Stoneville, Miss., has seen enough change in his long career to write a book. But he is dealing with a real dilemma. Technology is moving so quickly that he might have to rewrite the last chapter of that book several times.

“It’s quite a story,” he says. “The one thing that is significant to me today is that we have about three times as many varieties from which to choose. This is mainly due to the fact that you can get so many different combinations of transgenes.”

Success Of Transgenics

Meredith says it’s not shocking that transgenic varieties have made such impressive strides in market share. They have become commercially profitable and achieved a positive track record in controlling certain insects – namely, the tobacco budworm.

The transgenics also help control weeds and “have made life so much simpler for farmers,” according to Meredith.

It really shouldn’t surprise anyone that 92.7 percent of the ‘07 cotton crop in the United States was transgenic. That number increases to 99 percent in the Mid-South.

Still, despite all of the successes in seed technology in the last 10 years, Meredith is quick to point out that other problems have occurred – such as the emergence of secondary pests like plant bugs and stinkbugs. Those insects previously were controlled by insecticide spraying. Instead, these new pests have filled an agronomic void created by the elimination of the boll weevil and fewer sprayings that had residual benefits.

“The big issues now are the ease in farming and the success of the transgenics,” Meredith adds. “But things are moving so quickly that we hardly have time to evaluate these new varieties. That’s how quickly they are taken off the market.”

Proceed With Caution

Despite the positive stories associated with seed technology, it still pays to proceed carefully in this new environment. Meredith points out that U.S. cotton producers still deal with issues that cause problems for overseas mill customers. For all of the positives that seed technology creates in ease of production, other issues such as short fiber content, contamination and uniformity still exist.

And while the major priority for U.S. producers continues to be yields, Meredith says it is essential that fiber quality become equally as important.

“The rest of the world doesn’t care about yields in the United States,” he says. “Our customers have changed. They want longer and stronger cotton, and we have to be aware of that.”

One fact has become increasingly clear to Meredith. Cotton varieties are “finding their niche as far as where they grow best.” When more than 80 percent of Georgia acreage is planted to Delta & Pine Land’s DP 555 BGR variety and more than 75 percent of Texas is planted to FiberMax, that statement’s validity becomes apparent.

The question then becomes where will seed technology be in 10 years? How far can the envelope be pushed? Can the United States still be a major global supplier to meet new market demand?

Meredith is a born optimist, but he also is a realist. He, like many in the industry, knows that factors such as the Farm Bill, WTO and EPA regulations will have an impact on how far technology can carry U.S. cotton.

“There is no question that this is a volatile time,” he says. “A lot of people are ready to write cotton off, but I’m not ready to have the funeral yet. We have a lot going for us. The world market is growing rapidly, and we wouldn’t be very good stewards if we didn’t fit into that growth in some way.”

For that reason, the veteran USDA-ARS geneticist has some advice for cotton farmers who are looking to the future with some apprehension.

“I’d say you need to proceed with caution on your seed decisions,” he adds. “Study the data that is out there. Have faith in university trials, and realize that yield data over a wide range of environments is usually reliable. And, by all means, don’t give up on cotton.”

Optimistic Future

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more positive ambassador for cotton technology than Mississippi producer Kenneth Hood. He has just completed his 47th crop season and is intrigued by how far technology can carry U.S. cotton into the future.

“You can’t help but be somewhat overwhelmed by the technology that has been brought forward in the past 10 years,” he says. “We’ve seen more things happen in the last 10 years than the last 25 years put together.”

Hood, who is a leading proponent of precision technology in all facets of crop production, looks forward to the day when he can “put everything on the seed before I plant it.”

In other words, in Hood’s perfect world, he’d like to see technology that will produce time release, heat release, fertilizer release and anything else that helps enhance the seed’s performance.

The Mississippi producer also takes issue with skeptics who say that technology “makes farmers lazy.”

“I disagree with that statement,” he says. “Farmers aren’t lazy. The technology simply makes us more astute about managing the crop.”

Different Strategy?

Technology – particularly as it pertains to seed – has caused one of Mississippi’s most respected farmers and industry leaders to re-think how he approaches each crop season.

For instance, Hood says he’s now employing a different strategy when he plants the crop.

“I’m going against what I did for 20 straight years,” he says. “For a long time, all I cared about was planting the crop, maturing it out and moving fast to get it harvested. I wanted to beat the weather.”

With new technology, Hood is now committed to learning how to push the the plant and “knowing when to terminate it...to maximize yields.”

“Let’s face it, we’re in a different ballgame with all of this technology,” he adds. “It doesn’t frighten me. Things are moving fast, but that’s the environment we’re in right now.”

How much have things changed for Hood? When he planted his first cotton crop in 1960, a 500-acre cotton farming operation was considered “pretty good sized.”

As for equipment expenditures, he thought he was paying top dollar for his first tractor, which cost $6,000.

“Have we come a long way since those early days? he asks. “I’d say so. That’s why I’m excited about the future. There is a lot to look forward to in this industry.”

Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 767-4020 or thorton@onegrower.com.

Terrific Times In Texas

Retired Texas cotton physiologist Dan Krieg echoes Kenneth Hood’s comments and is equally excited about what technology has done for his state’s cotton production. Krieg, who also runs a farming operation in the Lubbock area, has preached fiber quality to audiences for many years.

His dreams are finally being realized. For the past four years, Texas has quickly gained a reputation for excellent cotton fiber quality and high yields. And it’s all due to new picker varieties being planted throughout the state.

“It’s pretty amazing when you think about it,” he says. “For a long time, it was all about yields. Now we’re getting excellent quality, and it’s all because of technology helping us to compete.”

Krieg still recalls a presentation he made at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in 2002 when he talked about the need to improve fiber quality. He believes those statements made five years ago are even more relevant today.

“We’ve got to realize that fiber quality is what the world market demands,” he points out. “We aren’t selling 10 or 11 million bales to the domestic market anymore. We’re trying to sell 15 million bales to an overseas market that wants length and strength.”

As for his own farm on the High Plains and the “off-the-chart” yields and grades he’s observing, Krieg says it’s hard to control his enthusiasm at what he’s witnessing.

“For 100 years, we were doing the same old thing in our production practices out here in Texas,” he says with a laugh. “Now in the last five or six years, we’re achieving record yields with staple length at or near 36. That’s what technology is doing for us. It’s just unbelievable.”

Seeds Of Change Today’s Cotton Varieties Have Come A Long Way
By Tommy Horton Editor
Having trouble deciding which cottonseed variety to plant in 2008? Have no fear. You are not alone. In fact, it would be completely understandable if today’s cotton producer was a bit overwhelmed – not only by the number of choices but by how far cotton varieties have come in the last few decades. When Bt cotton hit the market in 1996, who could’ve known how rapidly the technology train would travel over the next 10 years? As if it weren’t difficult enough to keep up with this year’s various seed company consolidations and acquisitions, it is probably even more noteworthy how powerful that small planting seed has become. As decisions are about to be made on what varieties to plant next year, maybe it’s wise to review how far seed technology has come in the last few decades – especially the last 10 years. Long-time USDA-ARS cotton geneticist Bill Meredith of Stoneville, Miss., has seen enough change in his long career to write a book. But he is dealing with a real dilemma. Technology is moving so quickly that he might have to rewrite the last chapter of that book several times. “It’s quite a story,” he says. “The one thing that is significant to me today is that we have about three times as many varieties from which to choose. This is mainly due to the fact that you can get so many different combinations of transgenes.” Success Of Transgenics Meredith says it’s not shocking that transgenic varieties have made such impressive strides in market share. They have become commercially profitable and achieved a positive track record in controlling certain insects – namely, the tobacco budworm. The transgenics also help control weeds and “have made life so much simpler for farmers,” according to Meredith. It really shouldn’t surprise anyone that 92.7 percent of the ‘07 cotton crop in the United States was transgenic. That number increases to 99 percent in the Mid-South. Still, despite all of the successes in seed technology in the last 10 years, Meredith is quick to point out that other problems have occurred – such as the emergence of secondary pests like plant bugs and stinkbugs. Those insects previously were controlled by insecticide spraying. Instead, these new pests have filled an agronomic void created by the elimination of the boll weevil and fewer sprayings that had residual benefits. “The big issues now are the ease in farming and the success of the transgenics,” Meredith adds. “But things are moving so quickly that we hardly have time to evaluate these new varieties. That’s how quickly they are taken off the market.” Proceed With Caution Despite the positive stories associated with seed technology, it still pays to proceed carefully in this new environment. Meredith points out that U.S. cotton producers still deal with issues that cause problems for overseas mill customers. For all of the positives that seed technology creates in ease of production, other issues such as short fiber content, contamination and uniformity still exist. And while the major priority for U.S. producers continues to be yields, Meredith says it is essential that fiber quality become equally as important. “The rest of the world doesn’t care about yields in the United States,” he says. “Our customers have changed. They want longer and stronger cotton, and we have to be aware of that.” One fact has become increasingly clear to Meredith. Cotton varieties are “finding their niche as far as where they grow best.” When more than 80 percent of Georgia acreage is planted to Delta & Pine Land’s DP 555 BGR variety and more than 75 percent of Texas is planted to FiberMax, that statement’s validity becomes apparent. The question then becomes where will seed technology be in 10 years? How far can the envelope be pushed? Can the United States still be a major global supplier to meet new market demand? Meredith is a born optimist, but he also is a realist. He, like many in the industry, knows that factors such as the Farm Bill, WTO and EPA regulations will have an impact on how far technology can carry U.S. cotton. “There is no question that this is a volatile time,” he says. “A lot of people are ready to write cotton off, but I’m not ready to have the funeral yet. We have a lot going for us. The world market is growing rapidly, and we wouldn’t be very good stewards if we didn’t fit into that growth in some way.” For that reason, the veteran USDA-ARS geneticist has some advice for cotton farmers who are looking to the future with some apprehension. “I’d say you need to proceed with caution on your seed decisions,” he adds. “Study the data that is out there. Have faith in university trials, and realize that yield data over a wide range of environments is usually reliable. And, by all means, don’t give up on cotton.” Optimistic Future You’d be hard-pressed to find a more positive ambassador for cotton technology than Mississippi producer Kenneth Hood. He has just completed his 47th crop season and is intrigued by how far technology can carry U.S. cotton into the future. “You can’t help but be somewhat overwhelmed by the technology that has been brought forward in the past 10 years,” he says. “We’ve seen more things happen in the last 10 years than the last 25 years put together.” Hood, who is a leading proponent of precision technology in all facets of crop production, looks forward to the day when he can “put everything on the seed before I plant it.” In other words, in Hood’s perfect world, he’d like to see technology that will produce time release, heat release, fertilizer release and anything else that helps enhance the seed’s performance. The Mississippi producer also takes issue with skeptics who say that technology “makes farmers lazy.” “I disagree with that statement,” he says. “Farmers aren’t lazy. The technology simply makes us more astute about managing the crop.” Different Strategy? Technology – particularly as it pertains to seed – has caused one of Mississippi’s most respected farmers and industry leaders to re-think how he approaches each crop season. For instance, Hood says he’s now employing a different strategy when he plants the crop. “I’m going against what I did for 20 straight years,” he says. “For a long time, all I cared about was planting the crop, maturing it out and moving fast to get it harvested. I wanted to beat the weather.” With new technology, Hood is now committed to learning how to push the the plant and “knowing when to terminate it...to maximize yields.” “Let’s face it, we’re in a different ballgame with all of this technology,” he adds. “It doesn’t frighten me. Things are moving fast, but that’s the environment we’re in right now.” How much have things changed for Hood? When he planted his first cotton crop in 1960, a 500-acre cotton farming operation was considered “pretty good sized.” As for equipment expenditures, he thought he was paying top dollar for his first tractor, which cost $6,000. “Have we come a long way since those early days? he asks. “I’d say so. That’s why I’m excited about the future. There is a lot to look forward to in this industry.” Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 767-4020 or thorton@onegrower.com. Terrific Times In Texas Retired Texas cotton physiologist Dan Krieg echoes Kenneth Hood’s comments and is equally excited about what technology has done for his state’s cotton production. Krieg, who also runs a farming operation in the Lubbock area, has preached fiber quality to audiences for many years. His dreams are finally being realized. For the past four years, Texas has quickly gained a reputation for excellent cotton fiber quality and high yields. And it’s all due to new picker varieties being planted throughout the state. “It’s pretty amazing when you think about it,” he says. “For a long time, it was all about yields. Now we’re getting excellent quality, and it’s all because of technology helping us to compete.” Krieg still recalls a presentation he made at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in 2002 when he talked about the need to improve fiber quality. He believes those statements made five years ago are even more relevant today. “We’ve got to realize that fiber quality is what the world market demands,” he points out. “We aren’t selling 10 or 11 million bales to the domestic market anymore. We’re trying to sell 15 million bales to an overseas market that wants length and strength.” As for his own farm on the High Plains and the “off-the-chart” yields and grades he’s observing, Krieg says it’s hard to control his enthusiasm at what he’s witnessing. “For 100 years, we were doing the same old thing in our production practices out here in Texas,” he says with a laugh. “Now in the last five or six years, we’re achieving record yields with staple length at or near 36. That’s what technology is doing for us. It’s just unbelievable.”

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